Tourism in Lushoto Town - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
Tourism in Lushoto Town:
Africa Natural Tours
AFRICA
NATURAL TOURS (The best tour company in Tanzania)
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This
leafy highland town is nestled in a fertile valley at about 1200m, surrounded
by pines and eucalyptus mixed with banana plants and other tropical foliage.
It’s the centre of the western Usambaras and makes an ideal base for hikes into
the surrounding hills.
Lushoto
is also the heartland of the Wasambaa people (the name ‘Usambara’ is a
corruption of Wasambaa or Washambala, meaning ‘scattered’). Local culture is
strong. In Muheza and parts of the Tanga region closer to the coast, Swahili is
used almost exclusively. Here however, Sambaa is the language of choice for
most residents.
Lushoto
and its people; it would be hard to know where to start. It is a town
that exists in a nebulous state of optimistic beauty after being hardened by
stunning scenery and a breath of fresh air. Like all places where winter likes
to settle in for a good, long stay, the people of Lushoto nearly always embrace
every moment of cool weather. When you live, visit or grow up in Switzerland,
Lushoto sounds about as close and familiar as Switzerland.
It
has sweeping landscapes with their towering peaks with farms, the breathtaking
view and endless vistas (green and lush scenery) that interest many visitors.
Lushoto boasts of a rich hinterland ideal for farming, which includes bananas, pears, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, yams, maize, cabbage, carrots, capsicum, plumps or apples and more that find their market within the Tanga region and beyond.
Lushoto boasts of a rich hinterland ideal for farming, which includes bananas, pears, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, yams, maize, cabbage, carrots, capsicum, plumps or apples and more that find their market within the Tanga region and beyond.
Its
rainforest is one of the most popular bio diversity places in Africa. Now, it
is a centre of one of the best cultural tourism programmes in Tanzania – The
Friends of Usambara (www.usambaratravels.com.).
The cultural tourism enterprise provides various activities for visitors, such as guided hikes and cultural visits to the Irente view point, Irente farm, Usambara farms, Magamba rainforests and more. Most of the incomes go to fund development projects such as drilling well in remote areas, building primary school and funding reforestation efforts.
The cultural tourism enterprise provides various activities for visitors, such as guided hikes and cultural visits to the Irente view point, Irente farm, Usambara farms, Magamba rainforests and more. Most of the incomes go to fund development projects such as drilling well in remote areas, building primary school and funding reforestation efforts.
In
Lushoto, people live a more traditional lifestyle, and the locals are genuinely
happy to see visitors walk by, greeting everyone with big smiles.
Location and access:
Lushoto
is accessed via Mombo town on the Arusha to Dar es Salaam highway. Public
transports to Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Tanga are available daily.
Accommodation:
Lushoto has several up-market facilities which include: Mullers lodge, The executive lodge, Irente Cliff lodge, Lawns hotel, Lushoto White House, Swiss farm Cottage, Irente Biodiversity Reserve, Mkuzi creek Resort and more.
Lushoto has several up-market facilities which include: Mullers lodge, The executive lodge, Irente Cliff lodge, Lawns hotel, Lushoto White House, Swiss farm Cottage, Irente Biodiversity Reserve, Mkuzi creek Resort and more.
USAMBARA CULTURAL TOURISM
Explore,
learn and know how we live in the Usambara Mountain, the community history of
the indigenous washambaa, and the immigrant local tribe of pare and mbugu,
local royality from the ancient to the Germany and British colonial era.
ONE DAY TRIPS FROM LUSHOTO
Irente Viewpoint (5-6 hours, 15km)
From
Lushoto, hike to this outlook for spectacular views of the village of Mazinde
and the Maasai plains almost 1000 meters below. Eat lunch at the Irente
Biodiversity Farm in their beautiful flower garden.
Magamba Rainforest (5-6 hours)
Walk
through villages and farm land to the lush rainforest where you can see
black-and-white Colobus monkeys. On the way back, pass by the historic royal
village of the Kilindi (the Washambaa ruling clan) and an old German bunker dug
during World War I.
Combined Trip—Magamba Rainforest & Irente Viewpoint (7-8
hours, 20km)
For shorter stays in the area, we recommend a combination hike to the Irente Viewpoint and Magamba Rainforest, where you can see Colobus monkeys.
For shorter stays in the area, we recommend a combination hike to the Irente Viewpoint and Magamba Rainforest, where you can see Colobus monkeys.
Bangala River (5-6 hours, 15km)
Beginning
at Mbuzii, descend slowly down the steep slopes of the Bangala River Valley
toward the rising savannah heat. Visit a tree nursery, see traditional
irrigation systems, and take in breathtaking views of the Maasai Plains.
Mkuzu Waterfall (5-6 hours, 15km)
From
Muller’s Lodge or Migambo Village, walk through the colorful forest to this
local waterfall. Extend your tour by climbing Migambo peak (2400m high!).
Skyline (6-7 hours, 10km)
Jiwe
La Mungu (“The footprint of man”)– Visit a famous cable system for transporting
logs down the mountain, enjoy wonderful views of Maasai Plains. Learn about the
people of the Usambara Mountains, such as the Pare and Shambaa.
Lushoto Town Tour (2-3 hours)
Explore
Lushoto and learn about its rich history. View old structures from the town’s
German colonial period. On Sunday and Thursday, this tour can be combined with
a visit to the colorful Lushoto market.
Usambara Farm (4-5 hours)
Walk
through the fertile farmlands of Jaegertal (“Hunter’s Valley”) to a fruit tree
nursery. On your request the tour can be extended to include a hike to Vuli
peak (2100 meters).
Combined Trip—Lushoto Town Tour and Usambara Farm (4-5
hours)
Tour
Lushoto and learn about its German colonial past. Then walk through the fertile
farmlands of Jaegertal (“Hunter’s Valley”) to a fruit tree nursery. On your
request the tour can be extended to include a hike to Vuli peak (2100 meters).
Montessori Sisters of Ubiri (3-4 hours)
A
short walk from Lushoto, visit this beautifully landscaped Catholic mission.
Learn about, taste, and buy their locally made cheese, wine, and jams.
Growing Rock (5-6 hours)
From
Soni, walk through the villages of Shashui and Kwemula to Kwamongo Peak (“God’s
Peak”), famous for its multicolored butterflies and spectacular views of
Lushoto and the Handeni plains. Stop by the Soni waterfalls on your way back to
Lushoto.
Maweni Spice Tour (5-6 hours)
Hike
from Soni to Maweni farm for a picnic in their beautiful garden surrounded by
butterflies and a chorus of birds. Along the way, learn about the various
spices grown in the Usambara Mountains.
Sakharani Wine Tour (4-5 hours)
Departing
from Soni, walk through coffee plantations on the way to Sakarani where
Usambara wine is processed. Upon your return, take in the Soni waterfall and
visit the local market offering fresh fruits.
Ndelemai Forest (8 hours)
Departing
from Soni, wind through coffee plantations and farmland. Explore the dense
Ndelemai forest, and on your way back, stop for a visit in Magila Village,
known for its traditional irrigation systems. Enjoy this walk through dense
lush forests before catching a ride back to Lushoto.
MULTI-DAY TOURS FROM LUSHOTO:
Mtae: The World Viewpoint (2-5 days)
Trek
through rainforests, traditional villages, and farmland; visit and sleep in a
local home; see local pottery being made; watch the sun set from the top of a
village; and experience the traditional life of the Shambaa people. This trip
includes many opportunities to visit and learn about the development projects
supported by our program. Return to Lushoto by bus, bike, or private transport.
Mazumbai Forest Reserve: The Galapagos of Africa (2-4 days)
From
Soni or Bumbuli hike through tea and coffee plantations to the Mazumbai Forest
Reserve, home to numerous birds species and black-and-white Colobus monkeys.
Return to Lushoto by private transport.
Magamba, Irente, and Carter’s Viewpoint (2-3 days)
Trek
through local villages and the Magamba rainforest to Irente viewpoint and then
the Irente Biodiversity Farm, famous for their locally made organic food
products. After staying overnight at the Farm, hike along the ridges of the
mountains to Carter’s viewpoint. The next day, return to Lushoto or continue
downhill to Mombo.
Lushoto, Rangwi convent to Mlalo viewpoint (2-3 days)
Trek
from Lushoto to the Rangwi Convent for an overnight. Continue with a visit to a
village of the Kilindi (the Washambaa ruling clan) and the headquarters of the
Shambaa sub-chief to learn about the history of the Usambara chiefdom. This
tour can be extended to include a visit to a Shambaa blacksmith at Tew
Agro Community Cultural tours (2-3 days)
Stay
with the local farmers, experiencing the village livelyhood.Visit the royal
subchiefs of the mountains,get the chance to see the village festivals and
learn how to step and Sing , the Shambaa and Mbugu traditional songs”
(West to East Cultural tour (5-6 days)
Have
the general scope of the Usambara Mountains, trekking through the villages from
the west to East via the natural forest of Mazumbai, Amani, and Nilo nature
reserve to the Estern part of the Mountains.
Usamabara Royal Villages Cultural tour (4-6 days)
Get
the chance to learn and experience, the existing culture in the royal villages
and the royal families from the ancient time of the Shambaa kingdom to the
modern
Kilimanjaro Acclimatization( 3-5 Days)
Lets
acclimatize together by walking to the higher altitude villages and have what
you deserve to climb the roof of Africa even mount Meru in regard to physical
heath of the person.
Usambara bike tours (1-7 Days)
The
Usambara Mountains is the best place for the mountains bikes, we save both
sportsman and others who are in needs to bike and experience the natural and
cultural beauty of the Usambaras
For more information
visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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